We used to decorate the outside of our house, but not anymore. We put a bow in front of our gate and we put lights up, that's about it. I always wanted the moving reindeer, but no.
December 23, 2004
News & Stories
San Diego Christmas shoppers caught in the act
Out of the Bag
Movies reviewed this week: The Aviator, Bad Education, House of Flying Daggers, Ocean's Twelve, and A Very Long Engagement
December 23, 2004
The Reader's Eye on Television
(Santa arrives. Santa and I greet.) Ollie: So, Santa, you don't mind if I ask you a question to verify you are the real Santa, do you? Santa: No, Anthony, not at all. O: Where's …
December 23, 2004
Orrecchiette Alla Barese
This is a typical southern Italian dish served in the winter, and it's one that I personally like. The sausage with the broccoli is common in Italy. It was usually served as a sandwich, but …
December 23, 2004
They are Taking Personal Stabs at Roxy
"They are taking personal stabs at Roxy because she is white. To say that someone does not have a rightful place in a certain sector of the music business based on race, in the year …
December 23, 2004
After a Long Day of Nasty Politics and "Bubble Trouble"
After a long day of nasty politics and "bubble trouble," what kind of music does District 6 San Diego city councilmember Donna Frye relax to when she goes home? "Jazz," she says. "And what do …
December 23, 2004
"It Always Happens the Wednesday Before Christmas"
"It always happens the Wednesday before Christmas. Last year Clear Channel fired 20 people. The year before that it was 34. And it was always right before Christmas." That's from a local radio employee. On …
December 23, 2004
We're Not Coming To Get Her
Tina Chamberlin of La Mesa was happy when her 82-year-old mother Rena Marseli decided to give up driving this past summer. Besides being 82 years old, Mrs. Marseli "had a vision problem," Chamberlin explains. "My …
December 23, 2004
Frye's Big Chores
Set cynicism aside. The ballot-bubble hubbub may yet bring a happy ending: the swearing-in of a legitimately elected mayor, Donna Frye. This column offers an agenda for Frye's first term. She was not consulted, of …
December 23, 2004
Case of the disappearing data
The intrigue -- not to mention the cost -- surrounding the ongoing San Diego city audit and pension-fund scandal continues to grow. The Texas law firm of Susman Godfrey, L.L.P., hired to help sort out …
December 23, 2004
Venture Capitalist David Cremin
Venture capitalist David Cremin, 44, is co-owner of the two-year-old Santa Barbara--based firm DFJ Frontier Fund, which has invested around $25 million in several emerging companies. Among them is Poway's OnTech Delaware, Inc., which makes …
December 23, 2004
Seventy-Seven-Year-Old Clora Bryant
Seventy-seven-year-old Clora Bryant refers to herself as a "trumpetiste" in a new documentary film chronicling her pioneering career as one of the few woman musicians to infiltrate L.A.'s Central Avenue jazz scene in the 1950s. …
December 23, 2004
"I'm Halfway Through a Three-Month Chemotherapy Program"
"I'm halfway through a three-month chemotherapy program. It sucks all the energy out of you." To make ends meet, Phil Cole, 45, has had to liquidate. "I have a mobile recording studio. I've had to …
December 23, 2004
Six-Year-Old Before Today
Six-year-old Before Today signed a three-record deal with Equal Vision in January, which released their Celebration of an Ending (recorded locally at Double Time) in September. Equal Vision (the New York label known for breaking …
December 23, 2004
The Bands Have Just Submitted Lyric Sheets
"The bands have just submitted lyric sheets to the board of directors, to make sure there's no cussing and stuff." Lori Wiar is the coordinator of First Night Escondido's third annual Battle of the Bands, …
December 23, 2004
Books That Help You Survive Christmas
Dust of Snow The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heartA change of mood And saved some partOf a day I had rued. …
December 23, 2004
Keep It Smooth
In contra dancing you get a new partner after each set of dances. During the set, you and your partner dance with another couple for a round -- one pair being the active couple. Then …
December 23, 2004
From hippie hangout to Indian natural preserve, Tahquitz Canyon outside Palm Springs remains a popular place to visit.
The Disneyesque guided hiking tour of lower Tahquitz Canyon, right on the edge of Palm Springs, is a far cry from the scene here in the 1970s and '80s, when scores -- sometimes hundreds -- …
December 23, 2004
His Nickname Is Dimebag
"We both realized that he wasn't playing his guitar and the song was still going on."
December 23, 2004
By George, They've Got It!
Normally, if a restaurant sounds too good to be true -- it is. So my group entered George's at the Cove with a high degree of collective skepticism. "George's wins so many awards and popularity …
December 23, 2004
Nutso
You enter into a certain amount of madness when you marry a person with pets. -- Nora Ephron 'I have a surprise for you," David said as he opened the door on his way into …
December 23, 2004
Faith Presbyterian Church, San Diego
"Faith Presbyterian Church is one of the more liberal churches in the county. We believe there are a lot of folks who want to find a place where the message is one of inclusiveness. Our …
December 23, 2004
Christmas Column
'Son-of-a-bitch! Son-of-a-bitchin' jackhammers!" This is December 24, 1980, in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I'm working off a class-B hangover and getting my ass kicked by an 80-pound jackhammer. Self, hangover, and jackhammer are struggling at the …
December 23, 2004
Holiday Punch
My family likes to get into its cups at holiday time. Some of them have deeper cups than others. A few of them stay in them all year round. For those soggy few, the holidays …
Tequila Mood
I got an invitation to celebrate the 39th anniversary of John Sant's 21st birthday. I don't know what age that makes him. I'm sure it's a simple math problem....His house was on Mount Soledad. As …
December 23, 2004
2004 Year-End Quiz
The Alices took a vote last week, and the majority favored canceling Christmas. Or Holiday, or whatever it's called now. But of course the elves didn't fill in the bubbles, and in the recount, Grandma's …
December 23, 2004
Secret Combo
“Uh-oh. Look outside, man,” says Hank. “Is there a back door? The place is surrounded by cops.”
December 23, 2004